This page contains information concerning:

Adoptions at a Glance

This page contains information for those interested in or involved in adoption, including adoptees and birth parents.

Independent Adoption

An Independent Adoption (also called an Open or Private Adoption) is when the birth parents and the adoptive parents make an agreement that the adoption should go forward. There is no adoption agency involved.

In an Independent Adoption, the birth parent(s) can meet the adoptive parent(s). The biological parent(s) give the child to the adoptive parent(s) – usually at the hospital when the child is born. They can also decide if they want to have contact with the child after adoption.

The law says the adoptive parent(s) must be at least 10 years older than the child being adopted.

If the child is already born, the parent(s) can give the child to the adoptive parent(s) during the adoption proceedings.

Stepparent Adoption

A Stepparent Adoption is when the spouse of a child's custodial parent adopts that child. The Department of Social Services prefers that the stepparent be married to the other parent at least one year before adoption.

The stepparent and custodial parent will fill out court forms, and there will be a hearing in Court. The child to be adopted, the custodial parent who lives with the child, and the adopting stepparent, must all go to the hearing.

Adult Adoption

An adult adoption is when someone adopts a person who is over 18 and not related to them. The person adopting must be at least 10 years older than the adult they are adopting.

Courthouse Location and Information

The courthouse is located at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in the City of Orange. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The court is closed on the weekends and during court holidays.

A public parking structure is located next to the courthouse on Dawn Way. There is an hourly charge to park your vehicle within this structure.

The Lamoreaux Justice center is a FULL SECURITY facility. All persons entering the building will be required to pass through a weapons screening device and have all hand-carried objects x-rayed.

Weapons of any type will not be permitted into the Justice Center. Items such as: knives, including pocket knives, scissors, corkscrews, mace, pepper spray, knitting needles, etc., which may be deemed potentially offensive and dangerous by the Sheriff’s Department will not be allowed in the building.

Family Law Division Court Staff

The Family Law Division court staff can assist you in person or by phone with forms, filing documents, and procedural matters Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. They are located on the 7th floor of the Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA; phone (657) 622-6069.